Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday March 19, 1913 Paterson, New Jersey – General Strike Committee to Establish Relief Station
From The Paterson Evening News of March 18, 1913:
Realizing that the ultimatum of the manufacturers and their decision not to confer with the strikers in any way, means either a defeat for the present strike movement or a long fight, the General Strike Committee of the Textile Workers of Paterson has decided to begin at once raising funds for the purpose of caring for the needy workers and their families in order that those now on strike may be able to live until the manufacturers awake to a realization of the fact that the mills are going to remain closed until the strikers get some recognition of their demands.
The following circular is being mailed broadcast to labor organizations throughout the country and it is expected that by the beginning of the week funds will commence flowing in.
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“AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN JURY TO ALL.”
SILK STRIKERS STRIKE AND RELIEF FUND.
HEADQUARTERS, TURN HALL, PATERSON, N. J.
TO ALL WAGE EARNERS AND FRIENDS OF LABOR:
Over 25,000 silk workers in Paterson are out on strike today for better conditions and a living wage. We are struggling against the manufacturers in a fight for living conditions. Our fight that we must win if we are to be able to live and to provide for our wives and children.
The Manufacturers’ Association of Paterson is a wealthy organisation, stacked by wealthy interests. It is a fight of the workers against the bosses and against unlivable conditions.
We have no one to appeal to for help except our brother workers, and those outside interests who believe in fair play for the workingman and we now make that appeal,
Every dollar that is raised will feed some hungry mouth and strengthen some willing worker to keep up the fight against unfair conditions.
To all workingmen and to all lovers of the square deal we make this appeal. The time to answer it is NOW. We need your help, WILL YOU GIVE IT.
SIGNED, RELIEF COMMITTEE.
GENERAL STRIKE COMMITTEE TEXTILE WORKERS OF PATERSON, N. J.
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In addition to this a subscription will be taken locally and food and money will be gratefully received, donations may be made outright or subscriptions made to pay any desired amount a week during the progress of the strike.
The News will acknowledge receipt of all monies sent in and also other donations.
The General Relief Committee is headed by Frederick Jenny as chairman, and they have established permanent headquarters in Turn hall.
The announcement is made that the strikers expect to be able to take care of all those who are in immediate need.
Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday March 18, 1913 Paterson, New Jersey – Silk Strikers Will Not Scab Under The Flag
From the Paterson Evening News of March 17, 1913:
The patriotic demonstration of the manufacturers of Paterson [for their self-declared “Flag Day”] proved rather disappointing in its result this morning, for when the whistles blew at all of the mills represented in the manufacturers’ association, the expected rush of workers to get back to their loom did not occur.
Saturday afternoon, a huge flag was stretched across Market street, near Paterson, with the legend under it: “We Live Under This Flag, We Work Under This Flag and We Will Defend This Flag.”
The Socialist retorted by stretching a flag to the wind in front of their headquarters bearing the words: “We Won’t Scab Under This Flag.” and the I.W. W. distributed a number of small buttonhole flags to the workers bearing the same words and instructed the pickets at the mill to show the flag to any of the workers who wanted to go back.
[…..]
Display of American Flag Not Very General.
While nearly all the mills hung out the American flag, the appeal to patriotism did not meet with very much success, as far as the strikers returning to work was concerned. The request that merchants display the National colors, disclosed the fact that only two American flags were hung to the breeze along Market street. At the Socialist headquarters on Main street an American flag has been hung and beneath a sign bearing this inscription was hung: “Dont Scab Under This Flag.” This is the slogan that has been adopted by the strikers in answer to the call of the manufacturers.
[…..]
Efforts of Strikers to Prevent Break In Strike is Successful.
Many who have been following the strike carefully believed that a break would occur this morning in many of the mills of all those out on strike. A committee meeting of the ribbon weavers held in Helvetia Hall, yesterday afternoon, indicated the fact that this branch of the industry are standing more firm than ever before. Practically every delegate who was present stated that the strikers had expressed the sentiment that unless the manufacturers granted them some demands they would not return to work. This is practically the same feeling that exists among the greater majority of the broad silk weaver and dyers. They are all determined to remain firm in their stand and will not return to work until the manufacturers have made some counter compromise.
[…..]
Haywood Arrives at Turn Hall.
[As Miss Flynn was addressing the strikers, meeting] Haywood arrived from New York city. He was met at the depot by Organizer Koettgen. There was no police escort this time to take him to police headquarters, so he continue to Turn Hall without interference. He listened attentively to Miss Flyn who continued her remarks […..and] followed with an address…which was well received and which will be printed in The News tomorrow.
Hellraisers Journal – Sunday March 15, 1903
Colorado City, Colorado – Managers Refuse Arbitration with Smeltermen
From The Butte Miner of March 13, 1903:
GOV. ASKS FOR ARBITRATION
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PEABODY CONFERRED WITH MILL MANAGERS AND STRIKERS AT COLORADO ON SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES ———- MANAGERS DECLARE THERE IS NOTHING TO ARBITRATE AND 8,000 CRIPPLE CREEK MINERS MAY GO CUT. ———-
Denver, Colo., March 12.-Governor Peabody returned at noon today from his visit to Colorado City, where he went to make a personal investigation of the strike situation to enable him better to take action looking to a settlement of the trouble.
This evening the governor issued a statement in which he related the incidents of his trip and announced the belief that the militia should be for the present maintained at Colorado City on account of alleged threats which have been made against the nonunion men in their boycotted mills, though he says he could not find, upon the most rigid inquiry, that the threats came from members of the Smeltermen’s union. He testified that he had asked the representatives of both sides of the controversy with their counsel to meet him in conference at the state house Saturday afternoon at two o clock.
The strike leaders have renewed their declaration of willingness to submit all questions in controversy to a proper tribunal. If they are not met half way, they will call out 8,000 Cripple Creek miners on next Monday.
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The officers of the Western Federation of Miners decided today to invoke the law to punish officers of the national guard who, it is alleged, have perpetuated outrages upon the Colorado City strikers and an injunction will be applied for to prevent any repetition of such acts.
[Said W. D. Haywood, of the federation:]
Action will be begun against officers of the militia and others for confiscation of property, invading private houses, arresting men without warrant and holding them without a charge and other illegal acts. In some cases the proceedings may be in the nature of civil suits, while in others criminal action may be instituted.
Hellraisers Journal – Friday March 14, 1913
Pratt, West Virginia – Mother Jones Seriously Ill, Awaits Verdict of Militia Jury
From The Hinton Daily News and Leader of March 13, 1913:
MOTHER JONES IS NOW SERIOUSLY ILL
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The Fate of the 49 Strikers Are Now
In the Hands of the Militia Jury
of Six Soldiers-Verdict Soon
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Mother Jones in West Virginia with Children of Striking Miners
Charleston, March 13.-Mother Jones is reported to be seriously ill at the Military Camp at Pratt. She broke down completely and had to be carried out of the court this morning. She is getting the best of attention. Repeated adverse decisions seems to have the best of the labor worker and the condition may be serious.
The fate of the forty-mine miners and others, who are charged with violating the rules of the militia in the strike zone, are now in the hands of the military jurors, six in number. The last of the evidence for the prosecution was given yesterday and later there appeared two witnesses for the defense. With the close of their testimony, the cases then went to the soldier jurors.
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